What It's Like Being a Walking Paraplegic

Seven years ago, my spine crushed my spinal cord. It took away the use of everything below T5/T6. I was told I had less than 2 percent chance of walking again, they thought it would be impossible.

By the time I turned 14, I began to learn to walk, defying the odds. This is where it becomes confusing for people — because surely if I can walk, I’m cured, right?

I can walk, but I can’t feel my legs. I deal with a lot of pain, spasms and walking in general can be pretty difficult. I have to concentrate and take my time. I can easily fall or trip, and it happens often. Not everything has come back either. I rely on medication, catheterization and Botox to keep my bladder under control. Even doing that, I can have the odd accident.

I often feel guilt that I can walk while some other people with a spinal cord injury are hoping and waiting for the day it can happen to them too. It weighs heavily on me.

Being a paraplegic that can walk is complicated and exhausting, but it’s a blessing I’m incredibly thankful for.